Dear Anna,
Thank you for your question. I am the current forum monitor and will need to reach out to some of our experts to see what additional resources may be available to offer guidance in this situation.
While Safety Data Sheets contain a wealth of information, their primary focus is to promote human safety by identifying potential hazards to personal health, and to the environment. To understand specific risks these products might pose to your collections we need to know more about the possible chemical reactions that could occur between ingredients in the products and the materials that compose your collections. Here, knowing what compounds make up these chemicals can give you some indicators and a place to start, but those can be complicated questions to answer.
What I think is more important to consider is how these compounds could come into direct contact with your collections during and after application, and what can be done prevent this. For example, the SDS for the Juggernaut product describes hazardous exposure through vapors, and recommends use in a well-ventilated area. That would suggest that chemicals are airborne during application, and may have a period of off-gassing making them capable of permeating throughout a space. There may also be particulates that can either settle onto surfaces, or inadvertently fall onto surfaces during an application process such as spraying. The corrosive nature of this product certainly gives me pause. Relocating collections outside of the space would be ideal but likely not a practical option, and moving materials comes with its own risks to consider. Still, you may be able to install barriers or coverings that limit contact within the space. Creating a strategy to mitigate contact is the best prevention strategy you can have. I would try to gather more information from your facilities team to fully understand their application process and devise ways to limit any potential interactions.
I am sure there are others who have dealt with similar situations in their institutions who may be willing to respond here with their suggestions. I will follow up with any supplemental recommendations that I can find for you, particularly with regard to the materials you have mentioned.
Best,
Jen
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Jen Hunt
Connecting to Collections Care Monitor
Special Collections Conservator
Hesburgh Libraries, University of Notre Dame
jhuntjoh@nd.edu------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 07-19-2025 10:30
From: Anna Goss
Subject: Need Help Assessing Industrial SDS for Collections Risks
Good morning, all,
At my institution we are scheduling a stripping and re-waxing of the brick floors in the museum. I have received the SDS(es) from our facilities staff, but don't know how to determine from those sheets whether the industrial agents they want to use pose risks to the collection (and what risks are posed). I've attached the two SDSes for reference.
Our collection is largely Western American art (paintings, works on paper, and bronzes) and Indigenous American art (textiles, clothing, baskets, ceramics, and jewelry)
I would greatly appreciate any recommendations or thoughts, and I'm glad to answer any questions that may help in an assessment of the risks of these products.
Many thanks,
Anna
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Anna Goss
Collections Manager & Registrar
Stark Museum of Art
Beaumont
United States
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